Akathisia remains a challenge in routine psychiatric practice, despite the widespread use of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs). This analysis was performed to quantify and qualify clinical characteristics of akathisia in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder patients experiencing an acute relapse who were randomized to receive aripiprazole, or placebo in 5 pooled short term trials.

A post hoc analysis of the safety dataset was conducted to assess clinical aspects of akathisia in five 4- or 6-week, double-blind, randomized trials comparing aripiprazole (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 mg/day) to placebo.

A total of 1,635 patients was included in this analysis (aripiprazole: n=1170; placebo: n=465). Akathisia was reported by 9% of the aripiprazole-treated patients and 6% of those receiving placebo. Among those reporting akathisia, more patients receiving aripiprazole (83%, n=86) reported this AE within the first 2 weeks of the trials when compared to placebo (69%, n=20). The mean and median duration of akathisia was generally low in both groups (Mean: aripiprazole=12.5 days and placebo=4.2 days; Median, aripiprazole=5.0 days and placebo=1.5 days). The percentage of patients reporting akathisia at endpoint (BARS Item 4≥2) was similar between aripiprazole- (16%) and placebo-treated patients (14%).

In the aripiprazole and placebo groups, akathisia appeared to occur early in treatment, was time-limited, and was associated with high rates of concomitant benzodiazepine usage. Additionally, most cases of akathisia were reported as mild to moderate and rarely associated with treatment discontinuation.